Pastor's Conference 2008

I am so very grateful for all that our Lord is doing in Guatemala. Ely and Rosa, and their family, are true saints of the faith who give all for the sake of the gospel of our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus. It is a privilege and blessing and an honor to be called to serve with them.

Sleeping in the city sometimes is hard for me and Sunday night was one of those nights. Noises of the city life, excited about getting back home or just plain ole insomnia all played their role. Of course there was the turkey that gobbled all night outside of our window. This turkey also was not use to the sounds of the city. One of the pastor’s wives from the country wanted to bless Ely and Rosa with a live turkey which made the journey back to the city with us. Perhaps I to might also gobble the night away if this was to be my last.

The pastor’s conference out at the coast was tremendous. We had 40 pastors in attendance along with some of their wives with us Friday morning through Sunday noon. The schedule was tightly packed as Pastor’s Mickey Brackin and Will McReynolds did outstanding jobs dividing the Word, encouraging, exhorting and challenging all with thought provoking messages. Daniel Brackin did some interpreting and was very helpful with his knowledge of the Spanish language. I did what I do best......Halleluiah.....A men! and Glori a Dios.....worshiping our Lord and encouraging the preaching. I too shared some words with the pastors and we were all vastly blessed.

We came prepared….. to preach and to teach, to love and to seek, but no preparation could have readied our hearts for what we would experience. We were filled up and emptied out; we were torn, shattered and humbled by our Lord’s presence as well as their humility and hospitality. We pray now that they received as much as we, and that they will be encouraged for another year to continue reaching the lost and making disciples.

As always the temps hovered around 100 degrees as did the humidity at Piedra Partida. In spite of these conditions we made it rather well with only one pastor’s wife suffering sickness from the heat.

Daniel and I, both being muscle heads, did manage to find a gym in Malacatan, one afternoon between sessions. I guess I have thrown away better stuff than this small gym had, but it still did the job. It was at least 115 degrees in this compact box of fire and steel, and you had to step over, crawl between and go around the make shift equipment to get anything done but we were happy to do so. We had a small group of followers who watched our every move as we pushed, pulled, strained and wiped the sweat from our brow. The boys conversed with Daniel, and we hurried back having only a short time to shower and return to the conference.

The six hour journey, on Sunday, back to the city was uneventful and we were thankful for that. A bit weary and worn we landed in Nashville last night around 8:30 PM where we were greeted by Donna, and Cindy Brackin (a site for sore eyes). It was once again good to be back home.

In 10 days or so (May 31) I will leave again. This time it will be for two weeks with teams coming to serve. Please pray for FBC, Shreveport, LA and FBC, Pulaski, TN teams as they prepare.

As always……THANKS for your prayers and financial support. It is with your help and our Lord’s grace and mercy that we are able to continue in His work in Guatemala.
All To His glory,
Lewis and Donna